Thaden School Founding Librarian In July 2015, the Walton Family Foundation announced the appointment of Clayton Marsh, former Deputy Dean of the College at Princeton University, to serve as the founding head of a new independent school in Bentonville, Arkansas. Named in honor of Louise Thaden, a pioneering aviator who was born and raised in Bentonville, the school opened in the fall of 2017 with 50 students in grades 7 and 9 and will grow incrementally of the next several years to serve approximately 500-550 students in grades 6-12. The school now seeks its first Librarian. The Position Reporting to the Director of Technology and working closely with the Head of School and academic Division Heads, the Founding Librarian will lead the establishment of a collection that empowers students to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners and readers, and ethical users of information in the global community. The Librarian will be responsible for the planning, procurement, and curation of Thaden School’s founding collection and will build and strengthen connections between student information and research needs, curricular content, learning outcomes, and information resources to advance the school’s mission and guiding principles. Primary Responsibilities The Librarian will: • Empower young adults to be critical thinkers, enthusiastic readers, skillful researchers, and ethical users of information; • Establish and maintain an inviting and welcoming space that generates an understanding of and appreciation for the multifaceted role of libraries in the community; • Manage and supervise the library space to support a broad spectrum of young adult work styles and learning needs; • Provide leadership and expertise in the selection, acquisition, evaluation, and organization of information resources in all formats (analog, digital, media, visual, etc.), as well as expertise in the scholarly and ethical use of information; • Curate, develop, manage, and promote a collection that represents diverse cultures, experiences, and viewpoints; • Establish and maintain a collection of resources appropriate to the curriculum, teaching styles and instructional strategies of the faculty; • In collaboration with faculty, teach students the steps and skills needed to undertake successful research, including one-on-one research conferences with individual students; • Establish collaborative processes and procedures for strategic selection, acquisition, circulation, and resource sharing that meet school needs and capitalize on regional resources including the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, University of Arkansas library services, and the Bentonville and Fayetteville public libraries; • Prepare and administer the school library budget to support specific program goals; • Work collaboratively with the school community to define the policies of the library program and to guide and direct all library activities; • Plan and provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff; • Evaluate, promote, and utilize existing and emerging technologies to supplement school resources, connect the school with the global learning community, and provide 24/7 access to library services; • Share expertise by presenting at faculty meetings, parent meetings, and at conferences; • Take an active role in school assessment and accreditation activities; • Attend faculty and committee meetings and occasional additional meetings, events, and trainings that extend beyond the school day; • Join with faculty and others in the Thaden community to plan and implement meaningful experiences that promote a love of reading, research, and lifelong learning; and • Execute other duties as assigned by the Director of Technology. Experience and Qualifications • Master of Library Science from an A.L.A. accredited institution; • Experience developing and delivering a library program and instruction for young adults, including providing reference and instructional services; • Experience collaborating with faculty to design and implement information literacy lessons and instructional best practices; • Knowledge of materials and resources to support middle and high school curricula and young adult reading; • Demonstrated cultural awareness enabling respectful interactions with cultures other than their own and cultivation of meaningful relationships with people from different cultural frameworks; • Understanding of and enthusiasm for the varied roles that libraries play in learning, social emotional development, and the school and local community; • Experience with library administration and budgeting; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to build trust and inspire confidence among all constituencies; • Experience managing a collection via a Library Management System and creating and curating online resource pages; and • Fluency in basic technology applications (i.e. MS Word, Excel) and working knowledge of Google Apps preferred. Applications Applications should include a resume and cover letter that addresses salary requirements, if any. Applications must be submitted to [email protected] by March 31 for full consideration. The start date is negotiable but must be no later than August 12, 2020. Thaden is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, national origin, citizenship, age (18 or older), religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, and sexual orientation. About the School and the Region A non-sectarian independent school under the direction of its own board, Thaden School offers a challenging and innovative educational program that ignites in its students a passion for discovery and learning, prepares them to succeed in college, and inspires them to lead lives of integrity, purpose and responsible global citizenship. At the core of the school’s mission is a commitment to balance that takes many forms: a curriculum that integrates the sciences and the humanities; indoor and outdoor teaching spaces where sustainability is a tangible part of the lesson; hands-on programs for civic engagement; athletics and physical education programs that build confidence and character through competition and meaningful participation; and a diverse faculty and staff that empower students to think deeply and expansively about their potential and place in the world. The school’s indexed tuition program further supports the creation of a balanced learning community where many perspectives, talents, and interests come together. Located on a 30-acre campus in downtown Bentonville’s emerging Arts and Market District, the school is walking distance from the town square, Brightwater Culinary Institute, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Momentary Museum of Contemporary Art, and a variety of other educational resources. With the support of the Walton Family Foundation’s Design Excellence Program, the school has engaged a nationally renowned team of architects to design an enduring and innovative campus that will spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and invite reflection. The school serves students from all parts of the growing and diverse region of Northwest Arkansas, which also includes Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, and several other townships. With more than 500,000 residents, the region combines a thriving economy with the natural beauty of the Ozarks and a rich variety of cultural and recreational amenities such as the Razorback Regional Greenway Trail System, the Scott Family Amazeum, and the Bentonville Film Festival. Northwest Arkansas is also home to the world headquarters of three Fortune 500 companies (Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt) as well as the University of Arkansas, the flagship campus of the state’s higher education system. For more information about the region and its resources, see the website for the Northwest Arkansas Council. Please visit the Thaden website for detailed information regarding its mission, leadership and faculty, educational programs, indexed tuition program, and campus plan as well as recent news releases. .